Anthony Joshua says he is fully focused as he prepares for his comeback fight against Kristian Prenga in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a bout that carries extra weight after a tragic year away from the ring.
The 35-year-old heavyweight returned to fight week this week with a clear message: stay locked in on Prenga first, then think about what might come next. Joshua spoke at a news conference in Jeddah on Thursday and said he and his team have been working since January, trying to keep everything moving in the right direction after a difficult stretch.
A comeback fight with bigger implications
Joshua is not just trying to beat an underdog on Saturday. He is also trying to re-establish momentum at heavyweight. He had not beaten an established heavyweight since stopping Otto Wallin in December 2023, and this fight against Prenga gives him a chance to remind the division where he still fits.
The timing also makes the bout significant on a personal level. Last December, a car crash in Nigeria killed two members of Joshua's team, Sina Ghami and Latif 'Latz' Ayodele. That loss overshadowed much of what followed, making this return feel less like a routine fight and more like a reset.
What Joshua said in Jeddah
Joshua made it clear that he sees the bigger picture, but is not letting it distract him from the task in front of him. “We've been working since January, working hard, keeping my head down and aligning my stars,” he said.
He also described his mindset as one of complete focus. “I'm fully focused. I understand there's a big picture. The goal is to conquer the universe, right? But first we must conquer Earth. And this is my target here,” Joshua said.
When asked about Prenga's chances, Joshua did not sound especially concerned. “Can he knock me out? I really don't believe it,” he said, before adding, “But only God knows that.”
Prenga enters as the clear underdog and has not faced anyone close to Joshua's level. That is part of why the fight is being framed less as a true 50-50 matchup and more as a meaningful step for Joshua as he tries to move back into the heavyweight conversation.
Tyson Fury remains the bigger prize
There is also a larger storyline hanging over the fight. If Joshua wins and Tyson Fury also beats Mariusz Wach, the path could open a little more toward an all-British heavyweight showdown. That possibility gives the Jeddah fight extra importance, even if Joshua is keeping his focus squarely on Saturday night.
Keith Sullivan called the situation a “real-life Rocky moment,” which fits the mood around Joshua's return. It is a comeback built around pressure, memory and opportunity, with a lot more at stake than a standard heavyweight fight.
